Fuel feeder



May 8, 1928. l 1,668,987

H. F. sMlTH FUEL FEEDER Filed Sept. 29. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet` 1 c@ 27.115555'5 175751. l l LIL/917th!" M .E37 *my l 5w MM fraz-'27957 H.4 F. SMITH May' 8, 1928.

FUEL FEEDER Filed Sept. 29. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet .2

May 8, 1928. 1,668,987

H. F. SMITH FUEL FEEDER Filed sept. 29, 192s 5 sheets-sheet 5 MUQEEQE ZZ-YUEZZZU" aia/M 'y 4. M

77295555 EN/@2222?" JEAN; 4. M

May s, 192s. l 1,668,987

v H. F. SMITH FUEL FEEDER Filed sept. 29. 1925 5- sheets-sheet 4 May 8,1928. 1,668,987-

' v H. FUSMITH FUEL FEEDER Filed Sept. 29. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May 8, 1928. I

UNITED `s'rii'ris `rasata? Pa'raN'r OFFICE. i

HARRY I'. SMITH, OF DAYTON, OHIO, .ASVSIGNOR TO THE GAS RESEARCH COMPANY, OI

` DAYTON, OHIO, A. CORPORATION OIE*l OHIO.

FUEL FEEDER.

'l 'Application nica september 29, 1923. serial No. 665,832.

`'I'his invention relates to feeding mechanism andvmore. particularly to fuel feeding mechanism for supplying coal, or like carifliinaceous material, to a gas producer or the i e. v

One of the pri-ncipallobjects of the inven-l tion is to provide an improved form of fuel feeding mechanism whichis constructed to automatically control the su ply. of the 'fuel to insure maintainingthe uel bed within the producer of uniform depth.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of that character which is i with producers of any considerable capacity,-

so constructed as to uniformly distribute fuel over the fuel bed.v

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the description thereof set out below when taken.` in conection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing in which' like characters the of reference designate like partsthrough portion is rotated relatively thereto.

out the, several views thereof;

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view, diagrammatic in form, of `a gas reducer equipped with fuel feedin mechanism constructed in accordance wit this invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view -along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing a modified form of drive for the fuel feeding mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a4 vertical sectional view along the linev 5-5 of Fig. 4, most of the parts a preferred embodiment thereof, it is shown' asadapted for the feeding of coal yto the generating chamber of a gas roducer. The very general practice, nowa ays, especially is to so`=construct those producers that they are mechanically operatedlthroughout, thus with ` designated generally by the numeral 10, while the top portion is designated generally by the numeral 11. Any desired means for rotating `these two parts relative to each other may be utilized, but as shown a very satisfactory way of accomplishing this rotation is to provide the body portion with a toothed rack, 12, the top portion carrying a motor driven pawl 13, which meshes'with the rack. As shown the body portion of the producer is held stationary while the top With a producer of this character, especially where it is of considerable size, 10l to 15 feet internal dia-meter for example, the

Vproblem of evenly distributing the fuel is` somewhat' complicated, for. considerably more fuel must be distributed toward the outer part of the fuel bed than toward the center thereof in order to secure uniform distribution of the fuel over the whole surface of the fuel bed. As shown particularly in Fig. 2 the fuel feeding mechanism is arranged to one side of a diameter of the producer, and is soconstructed that the fuel may be .fed at a progressively increasin rate from the center of the producer towar the periphery. This fuel feed, as shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, consists of a ase member 20, which is providedwith a plurality of openings 21, which cooperate with corresponding openings 22 in the top of the producer. Mounted upon the base member is a plurality ofmhousings 25. Each ofthe passages 21, within the base member 20, has a housing 25 associated therewith, and as'shown in Fi 2 there arethree of these passages 21 van three housings 25 associated therewith. -These housings are -rigidly secured to the base member 20, in

gas tight connection therewith, in any suitable way, as by means of bolts, or the like,

the recise means not being illustrated. Opening into 4the interior of each of the housings 25 is a fuel supply pipe 26, the

other end of which is connected to a fuel suppl chamber 27, which is in turn connec to a storage hopper or binA28, by means of a pipe 29, which has a swivel connection, of conventional form, therein, this construction being desirable so t-hat fuel may be supplied to the fuel feeding mechanism carrled by the rotating top of the producer. J Beneath each of the housings 25 the base member is cut away as shown at 35 to receive a slide 36 which is of such extent that when in extreme left hand position it completely closes the bottom of the housing 25, and overlies the passage 21, which communicates'with the interior of the housing 25, to thus cut off communication between the passage 21 and the interior of the cooperating housing 25. Attached to the bottom face of the slide 36 is a hook member 37, to which is connected one end of a spring 38, the other end of this spring being connected to a second hook member 39, which is carried by some relatively stationary part of the apparatus. As shown this hook 39 is connected to the base member 20, the construction described being such Athat the spring 38 will tend to urgegthe slide 36 toward right hand position, to uncover the passage 21, and connect that passage to the vinterior of the housing 25. The end of the slide 36 extends beyond the base of the housing 25 and is provided with an extension 45, the free end of which carries a roller 46, adapted to cooperate with the face of the cam 47 which is mounted upon the shaft 48. This shaft is shown as direct connected to the motor 49, operation of the motor causing rotation ofthe shaft 48 and the cams 47 carried thereby Each of these cams 47 is cut away as at 50, the construction being such that during rot-ation of the cams each slide 36 will'be held in extreme left hand position, to close the conneetionbetween the passage 21 and the interior of the housing 25, except during such time as the roller 46 cooperates with the cut away portion 50 of the cam associated therewith. As rotation of the cam brings this cut away portion into cooperative relation with the roller the spring 38 will cause movement of the slide to the right. And this will cause the feeding of a charge of fuel through the passage 21. The fuel introduced through the pipe 26 will s read itself over the upper surface of the sllde 36, within the interior of the housing 25, and will come to rest with its surface assuming a definite angle of repose, this angle being dependent upon the size and character of the fuel. The proportions of the housing, under the base member, are such that when the `fuel introduced through the pipe 26 assumes its normal angle of repose it will spread over the slide 36 to approximately the edge of the passage slide through the `slides 36 is a dra 'reverse movement of the slide, to the left,

the fuel is carried with it so that that portion of the slide which overlies the passage.' 21 will have a supply of fuel thereon. Upon another movement of the slide to the right this fuel will drop o ver the edge of the assage 21 into the generating chamber o the producer.

As statedVA above it is necessary during operation to introduce more fuel into the producer adjacent the wall than adjacent l `the center of the 'fuel bed. If desired the necessary introduction of fuel into the generating chamber to effect substantially unia eter of 12 to 14 feet, if these slides are operated at respective rates of 1 3:5, a substantially uniform distribution over the fuel bed will be secured. But even with such uniform distribution uniformity in the depth of the fuel bed may not be secured for combustion ma proceed at a more rapid rate at one portionof the fuel bed than another and consequently one portion of the fuel bed may be consumed more rapidly than another. Therefore means is provided for controlling the functioning of each of the slides 36 .so that it will be actuated to cause introduction of fuel to the' generating chamber of the producer only so long as the level of the fuel bed to which the particular slide causes the introduction of fuel is below the predetermined and desired normal level.

' Pivotally mounted within an opening in the top of the producer adjacent each of the member or finger 60 the lower end of which is adapted to extend down into the generating chamber of the producer a sufficient distance to contact with the surface of the fuel bed therein. The upper end of each pivoted bar 60 is pivotally connected to a link 61, the other end of which is pivotally connected to one arm 62 of a bell crank lever, the other arm, 63, of which serves as a catch or latch member and is so positioned that it may be move-d into or,out of cooperation with the outer end of the corresponding plate 36. As the level of the fuel bed within the generating chamber rises or falls the end of each of the fingers 60 will correspondingly rise or fall, and through the link 6l of thebell crank lever will be rocked about this pivot 64, to vary the position of the latch 63 so that that latch will permit free movement of the corresponding slide or restrain that slide from movement to the right. So long as the level of the fuel bed with which any one of the fingers 60 is associated is below the predetermined normal level the latch 63 will be held out of the path of travel of the slide 36and consequently that slide will be free to reciprocate under the action of the spring 38 and the cam 47. .But when the level of the fuel bed/ rises to the predetermined normal level corresponding rising of the end of the linger 60 will cause movement of the latch member 63 into such position that it will prevent reciprocation of the slide to the right. As shown, particularly in Fig. 2, each of the slide members is provided with a finger and latch mechanism, and consequently uniform distribution of the fuel will be secured, for each slide will continue to function to cause feeding of fuel to the. portion of the fuel bed supplied from said slide, until such time as the level of that particular portion of the fuel bed is built up to the desired height, when the latch 63 will be moved to prevent further functioning of the corresponding Y part ofthe fuel feeding mechanism.

In order to prevent the escape of gas from 'the producer through the fuel feeding mechanism into the atmosphere, or from the air through the fuel feeding mechanism into the producer, steam is introduced into the interior of the housing 25 through the pipe 70, this steam serving to prevent the flow of gas from the producer into the housing, where the producer is operated under pressure, and to preventthe flow of air into the producer through the housing, where the producer is operated under suction.

In Figs. 4 and 5 ,is shown a slightly modified form of mechanism for actuating the slide 36. Keyed to the shaft 48 and rotatable therewith is a sleeve member 80 which carries a clutch member 81. Slidably mountyed upon the shaft 48 is a sleeve 82, which carries a second clutch member 83. Also carried by the sleeve 82 lis an eccentric 85 which has cooperating therewith an eccentric stra 86, which is in turn connected by means o the eccentric rod 87, to one end of a link 88, the other end of which is connected'to the free outside end of the slide 36. The shaft 48 is rotated continuously by means of a motor, as is also the case with the modification illustrated in Figs. 13, and the clutch member 81 is also rotated con- .tinuously therewith. By sliding the clutch member 83 into frictional contact with the clutch member 81 the sleeve 82 may be also caused to rotate, with accompanying rotation of the eccentric, to cause backward and forward movementy of the slide 36. Pivotally mounted upon some suitable fixed part of the apparatus, as shown somewhat diagrammatically by thel numeral 90 is a bell crank the fuel distribution as is eected bpy lever, one arm 91 of which isipivotally connected to one end of the link 61 the other ates with a groove or cut out portion 93, upon the sleeve 82 so that as the level of the fuel bed wi-thin the generating chamber rises or falls the bell crank lever will be rocked to slide the sleeve 82 along the shaft 48' toI bring the clutch member 83 into, or out of, frictional contactwith theclutch member 8l, to thus cause actuation of the slide 36', or to interrupt 'functioning thereof.

1n Figs. 6 and L7 is shown another modified form,` of fuel feeding mechanism, which is adapted to accomplish the same control of form of apparatus above described. In ig. 6, which 1s somewhat dlagrammatic 1n character, this fuel feeding mechanism 1s shown to consist of a plurality of bell hoppers which are arranged radially across the top of the producer, in substantially the same general arrangement with reference to the generating chamber of the producer as is the case with the type of apparatus described above. Each of these fuel hoppers, however, is entirely separate and independent of the others; but as the various fuel hoppers are identical in construction, only one of them is shown in detail, a vertical sectional view of one of -these bell hopper feeds being shown in Fig. 7.

ln that form of apparatusy the top 11 of the producer is provided with an opening with which cooperates the base member 100, the depending flange 101 extending downwardly from the base member and tern ing within the generating chamber o [ne producer.- Secured to the base member, as y means of bolts or the like, is a bell hopper 102, having yan opening adapted to register with the passage within the base member 100, through which fuel passes from the bell hopper into the generating chamber of the producer, and an inlet plpe 103, which is suitably connected to a fuel measuring or feeding device, which in turn comprises a housing 104 having a ported cylindrical plug 105 therein, this plug being mounted upon the shaft106, the outer end of which carries a pulley, sprocket, or the like 1'07. This housing has a -discharge passage 108, which connectswith the inlet passage 103 of the bell hopper `and an inlet or supply passage 109, which registers with the fuel supply pipe 110, that pipe-in turn being connected to a hopper or bin, as is the case with theppe 26 described above.`

The pulley 107 carries a belt 115, which also rides over a drive pulley 116, mounted upon the shaft of `the motor 117, a separate motor beingI provided for each of the individual fuel feeds, as shown in Fig. 6. Durthe lli)

vent opening of the valve. if

means of the measurin device into the bell hopper, the passage o fuel from the bell hopper'into the producer being controlled by means of the bell or closure 120, which. is

pivota-lly connected 'to the rod-121, the upper` 132 therein` which is normally urged toward open positionb means of the spring 133. The stem of this valve carries a roller 134 upon the-outer end thereof which is adapted to cooperate with the cam 135,A mounted upon the shaft 136, of the pulley 137, which pulley is driven by means of the belt 138 from a pulley 139, which is also driven by the motor 117. As the motor rotates it will rotate the pulley 137 and the cam 135. The spring 133 will urge the valve toward open position, bringing the roller 134 against the surface of the cam, and as the cam turns to bring the depression 140 thereof opposite the roller the valve will open under the action of the spring to connectthe space within the cylinder 125, beneath the piston, to the interiorof the bell hopper thus relieving the pressure within that cylinder and allowing the piston to move downwardly under the weight` of the parts connected thereto and the weight of the coal within the bell hopper. The closure V1,2() will thus also move downwardly, to open the passage within the base member 100 and to allow the fuel Within the hopper to pass into t-he generating chamber of the producer. As the cam continues to rotate the valve 132 will close and the steam pressure will again build up under the piston 124 to raise that piston into elevatcd posit-ion, and again force the closure member against the depending flange 101 to interrupt the passage of the fuel from the bell hopper into the generating'chamber of the roducer.

Plvotally mounted within the top is -a finger the upper end of which 1s pivotally connected to the link 61, which is in turn connected to one end 150 of the bell crank lever, the other end 151 of which lserves as a latch member to cooperate with the collar 152, upon the stem of the valve 132. As the height of t-he fuel bed within the producer builds up the finger 60A will actuate the latch 151 to move it into the path of travel of the collar 152 and thus prestruction is such that Iduring normal operation of the producer the fuel will not be -supplied to the bell hopper at a faster rate than it is needed for replenishinnf the fuel bed within the generating cham er.y But with the construction as shown fuel will be supplied tothe bell hopper even though the exhaust valve 132 is held in closed position to prevent the feeding of fuel from the bell hopper into the generating` chamber of the producer. It is sometimes found desirable to arrange the mechanism connected with the finger 60 to cont-rol the operation of the measuring device 104 as well as the valve 132.

ln Fig. 8 is shown a somewhat diagrammatic view of mechanism for accompllshing this. As shown iu this figure the two pulleys 116 and 139 which are carried upon a sleeve are preferably integral and loosely mounted upon the shaft of the motor 117, this sleeve having a clutch element 161 there on which is adapted to cooperate with -a clutch element 162 which is slidably mounted on the shaft of the motor. The arm 151 of the bell crank lever, which is actuated by the finger 60 is forked, as described above in connection with the construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and upon movement of the linger in response to variations in the level of the fuel bed, the clutch element 162 will be moved along the sha-ft to bring the two clutch members into or out of contact..

When the two clutch members are brought into cooperative relation both the fuel feeding member 104 and the pulley 137 will be rotated to feed fuel to'the bell hopper and to, at the same time, open the valve 132, as

the cam 135 is rotated, to periodically feed at a progressively increasing rate from the` center ofthe producer outwardly towards the shell. Or the ratio of the pulleys 137 and 139 may be so arranged that the same progressively'increasing rate of feed from 'the center of the producer out may be secured. Of vcourse in this modification if thc finger 60" were dispensed with the clutch mechanisml described could also be dispensed with.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of fuel feeding means.

the invention, it is to be understood that 1. A gas producencomprising'a bod por-l tion, constructed tocontain a fuel be and a top, the body portion and top being rotatable relative to each other; fuel feeding mechanism mounted upon the said top, and means at all times respon-sive to variations in the fuel level within the body portion for controlling the operation of the fuel feeding mechanism.

2. `A gas producer comprising a body portion, constructed to contain a fuel bed, a top therefor, the top and body portion being rotated relative to each other; fuel feeding mechanism carried by said top, means for actuating the said fuel feeding mechanism, and means at all times responsive solely to variations in the level of the fuel within said body portion for controlling the said actuating means.

3. A gas producer comprising a body portion constructedto contain a fuel bed, a rotatable top therefor, fuel feeding mechanism mounted upon said top, means Afor actuating said fuel feeding mechanism, a pivoted 1inger mounted upon said top, the lower end of said finger extending downwardly into the body portion of the producer, the construction being such that the lowerv end of the said finger is adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the fuel bed, and means connectin the upper end of the said finger to the said actuating means, whereby movement of the said finger about its ivot, in res onse to variations in the level) of the fue bed will throw said actuating means Vinto or out of engagement with 'the said fuel feeding mechanism.

4. A gas producer, comprising the combination with a body ortion constructed to contain a fuel bed an a rotatable top therefor, of a fuel feedin device mounted upon the said top, constany operatin means for actuating said fuel feeding evice, and means at all times responsive to variations in the level of the fuel within the said body ortion of the roducer for connecting or isconnectingsaid actuating means and said 5. A gas producer comprising a body portion constructed to contain a fuel bed, a rotatable top therefor, fuel feeding mechanism comprising a plurality of fuel feeding elements, positioned at varying distances from the axis of rotation of the said to each element being constructed to suppiv fuel to a given zone of thesaidfuel e actuating means for the said fuel 'feeding elements, and means for independently controlling o eration of each of the said fuel tllila zone of the fuel bed to which it supplies e 6. A gas producer comprising a body p0rtion constructed to contain a fuel bed a rotatable top therefor, a plurality of fuel feeders carried by said top, and positioned at varying distances from the center of the producer to each fuel feeder being constructed to supp y fuel to a given zone of the said fuel ed, a common means for actuating each of the fuel feeders, and separate means associated with each of the said fuel feeders, each of the said separate means being responsive to variations in level of the zone of the fuel bed vto which its respective fuel feeder is adapted to supply fuel, and means vfeeding e ements, according to the level of associated with each ofthe said separate means for operatively connecting or disconnecting K its cooperating fuel feeder to the said actuating means.

7. A gas producer comprising the combination with a body portion, constructed to contain a fuel bed and a rotatable top therefor; of a plurality of Ifuel feeders, posi-l tioned at varying distances from the axis of'rotation ofthe said top, each fuel feeder being ada ted to supply fuel to a given zone of the fue bed; a constantly rotating shaft a plurality of actuating means mounte upon said shaft, each of said actuatin means being associated with one of the said fuel feeders and constructed to cause actuationpof its associated fuel feeder, a control finger pivotally mounted within an openin in the top of said producer, its lower en extending downwardly into the producer and being constructed to coo erate with the upper surface of the fuel be the other end extendin upwardly above the to of the said pro ucer, and means actuate finger for operatively connecting or isconnectin the said fuel feeders with the said actuating means upon the rotatingl shaft.

8. A gas producer comprising t e combination with a body portion, constructed to contain a fuel bed, and a rotatable top therefor; of a plurality`of fuel feeders, po-

sitioned at varying distances from the axis of rotation of the said top, each fuel feederV being adapted to supply fuel toa given 4zone of the fuel bed, a constantly rotating shaft, a plurality of actuating means mounted upon said shaft, each of said actuatin means being associated withone of the sai said fuel feeders and constructed to cause ac- 'I tuation of its associated fuel feeder, a plurality of control fingers pivotall mounted within an opening in the top. o said producer, each of said fingers being operatively associated with one of the said fuel feeders, the lower end of each finger being constructed to cooperate with the upper surface of that zone of the fuel bed with which its respectivel fuel feeder -is associated, and means connected to the outer end of each of said lingers for operatively connecting or disconnecting the feeder associated therewith and the respective actuating means mounted upon said rotating shaft.

9. A gas producer comprising the combination with a body portion constructed to containa fuel bed and a rotatable top theref for having a fuel inlet opening therein; of

a uel feeding mechanism mounted upon said top comprising a basemember having a fuel discharge opening therein positioned to cooperate with the fuel feeding opening in the said top, a housing mounted upon said base member,`having a fuel receiving opening therein, a conveyor pipe connected to said opening for supplying fuel to the interior of the housing, means for feeding fuel from the said housing through the fuel discharge opening into4 the said producer said means consisting of a slide Ior plate, ac-

tuating means for causing movement of said plate to effect feeding of the fuel, and means responsive to variations in the level of the fuel bed within the said producer for holding said plate out of operative connection with the said actuating means.

10. In fuel feeding-mechanism for a gas producer or the like, comprising a body portion constructed to contain a fuel bed and a rotatable top therefor; a. plurality of fuel feeding. elements positioned at varying distances from the axis of rotation of the top of the said producer, each element being constructed to supply fuel to a given zone of the said fuel bed, actuating means for the said fuel feeding elements constructed .to normally actuate each of the said fuel feeding elements at a predetermined rate which is dependent upon its relative positioning with respect to the center of said fuel bed; and means associated with each of the fuel feeding elements, and responsive to variations in t e level of the fuel in the fuel bed, each of which means is adapted to operat-ively connect or disconnect its re- Spective fuel feeding element according as the level of fuel in that zone of the fuel bed to which it supplies fuel falls or rises be-y low er above a predetermined level.

11. In fuel feeding mechanism for a gas producer, or the like, comprising a body portion constructed to contain a fuel bed and a rotatable top therefor; a plurality of fuel feeding elements mounted upon said top, and positioned at varying distances -from the axis of rotation of said top, each element comprising a base member having a. fuel discharge opening therein positioned to cooperate with a fuel feeding opening in the said top, a housing mounted upon each said base member and having a fuel receiving opening therein constructed to receive a conveyor pipe connected to a suitable source of supply for supplying fuel to the interior of said housing, a sliding plate within eachv of said housings; a constantly rotating shaft adjacent the said several fuel. feeding mechanisms, means carried by said shaft and each of the said fuel feeding elements for causing sliding movement of each of the said plates to feed fuel from within the said housings onto the fuelbed of the producer, the 'said means being so constructed as to operate the respective fuel feeding elements at variable rates according` io the position of each of the said elements with respect to the center of the fuel bed; and means associated with each of the said fuel feeding elements, and independent of the other fuel feeding elements, for rendering inoperative the actuating means associated with its respective fuel feeding elements Without affecting the operation of the other fuel feeding elements.

12. In fuel feeding mechanism for a. gas producer, or the like, comprising a body portion constructed to contain a fuel bed and a. top therefor, the body portion and top being relatively rotatable; a fuel hopper having a discharge opening through which fuel may pass from said hopper into the interior of the producer, a rcciprocable closure member for said hopper, means for normally opening said closure member at predetermined intervals to permit the passage of fuel through the said discharge opening, and means at all times operatively responsive to the level of the fuel bed with which said fuel feeding mechanism is associated for rendering the said operating means inoperative.

13. A gas producer comprising a body lui) portion constructed to contain a fuel bed, o

a top therefor, fuel feeding mechanism for said producer, control means for controlling the operation of said fuel feeding means, and means for actuating said control means, said control means being at all times responsive solely to variations in the fuel level within said body portion.

14. In a fuel feeding mechanism for a gas producer, or the like, comprising a body portion constructed to contain a fuel bed and a top therefor, said top and body portion being relatively rotatable; a fuel receiving hopper having a discharge opening connecting the interior of said hopper to the interior of the producer. means for introducing fuel into said hopper, a closure member for saiddiseharge opening, a pressure operated piston for holding said elosure member in closed position and means associated With said pressure operated piston for opening said closure member at pre determined intervals.

15.'In a fuel feeding mechanism for a gas producer, or the like, comprising a body lll) ,Lenmar and a top therefor, said` top and body porvtion being Arelatively rotatable; a fuel receiving hopper having a' discharge opening connecting the interior of said hop er to the interior of the producer, means or introducingthe fuel intoA said hopper, a'closure member for said discharge o ning, a pressure operated piston for ho ding said closure member in closed position, means for relieving the pressure on the said piston to permit opening of said closure member, and means responsive to the level of the fuel bed within the producer for rendering said pressure relievingmea-ns inoperative.

16. In .a fuel feeding mechanism for a gas producer, or the like, comprising a body portion constructed to contain a fuel bed and a top therefor, said top and'body por# tion being relatively rotatable; a fuel receiving member havlng a discharge o ening connecting the interior of said mem ler to the interior of the body portion of the pro ducer, means for introducing 4fuel at a pre# determined rate into the interior of said receiving member, a closure for said discharge opening, a pressure cylinder associated with said lreceiving' member, a piston within said cylinder, a piston rod connecting the said piston to the said closure member for actuating said closure member, meansfor continuously introducing pressure fluid into the said cylinder'to urge the iston in onedlrection to maintain the c osurev memberv i'n closed position, a valve controlled discharge,

passage within said cylinder and means for v actuating said lvalve at predetermined intervals to relieve the vpressure upon the piston vwithin .the said cylinder with resultan of the said closure member. 17. n a fuel feeding mechanism fora gas producer, or the like, comprising a body portion constructed to contain a fuel bed and a top therefor, s aid top andbody porto the interior of the body portion of the y producer, means for introducing fuel at a predetermined rate into the interior ofsaid receiving member, a closure for said dis-A charge opening, a pressure cylinder associated 'with said receiving member, a piston within said cylinder, a piston rod connecting the said piston to the said closure member' for actuating said closure member, means for continuously introducing pressure fluid into thesaid cylinder to urge the piston in one direction to maintain the closure member in closed position, a valve controlled discharge passage within said cylinder, meansv for .actuating said valve at predetermined intervals to relieve the pressure on the said piston with resultant opening of the saidl closure member, and means responsive to the level of the fuel within the fuel bed for preventing opening of said discharge valve so long as the fuel level is above the predetermined level.

18. A gas producer comprisin a body portion, constructed to containa uel bed, a ton therefor, the top 'and body portion being rotatable relative to each other; fuel feeding mechanism carriedl by said top, actuating -means for said fuel feeding mec anism, control means responsive to variations in 'the level of the fuel within said body portion for controlling the said actuating means, said control meanshavin provisions for automaticall starting said actuating means when the evel ofthe fuel falls below a predetermined point, and for automatically stopping 'said actuating means when the level of the fuel rises above a predetermined fpolnt. In testimony whereof I hereto ax my signature.

- HARRY F. SMITH.-

veo` 

